A PIONEERING course designed to improve the treatment of lung disease around the world is being launched by Cardiff University.

A PIONEERING course designed to improve the treatment of lung disease around the world is being launched by Cardiff University.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is one of the most common forms of lung disease in the UK and the number of people affected by the condition is rising steadily.

The term that covers a number of conditions including chronic (meaning long term) bronchitis and emphysema – which involve a person’s airways narrowing.

Around 80% of all cases of COPD are caused by cigarette smoke, however occupational factors, such as coal dust, and some inherited problems can also cause COPD.

The longer a person smokes, the higher the risk for COPD and unlike with asthma, the narrowing of the airways in COPD is not reversible.

In COPD sufferers, damaged air sacs within the lungs trap air, overinflating the lungs and preventing further air from being taken in. Sufferers of COPD experience severe shortness of breath and can often have a fatal outcome. The symptoms of COPD are often worse in the winter, and it is common for someone with the disease to have several flare-ups or exacerbations a year. A flare-up is when symptoms are particularly bad.

If the flare-up is particularly severe it can prove fatal – 10% of those admitted to hospital die in hospital while up to 40% can die within a year.

Next month, Cardiff University will welcome a host of eminent thoracic consultants and respiratory physicians from around the UK and Europe, to run a ground-breaking course on the non-invasive management of emphysema and other chronic lung conditions.

While it is estimated that around 900,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with COPD, experts believe the condition to be hugely under-diagnosed. It is thought many of those who develop the symptoms of COPD do not seek medical help because they often dismiss their symptoms as a “smoker’s cough”.

The course, to be run at WIMAT – Cardiff University’s Postgraduate Surgical Training Centre – and the University Hospital of Wales, will teach surgeons how to perform a non-invasive technique to treat the debilitating symptoms of (COPD).

The procedure involves placing a small valve into the patient’s lung, through a small tube inserted through the mouth, to stop air from entering damaged areas of the lung while allowing previously trapped air to flow out.

Breathing is greatly improved while minimising the risks associated with invasive surgery, including infection, long hospital stays and strain to already fragile patients.

Procedures using this pioneering technique have already begun to take place at the University Hospital of Wales’ cardiothoracic department – one of only a handful of hospitals throughout the country that use this procedure.

The course will be convened by Margaret Kornaszewska, a thoracic surgeon at University Hospital of Wales and will place Wales in the forefront of cardiothoracic training.

During the course, a live surgical procedure will be filmed at the University Hospital of Wales, which will live-link to WIMAT’s modern lecture theatre.

Delegates will have the chance to view, first-hand, the procedure in full detail, while communicating with the course faculty members throughout.

Rhiannon Davies, course-coordinator said: “WIMAT are honoured to be hosting this pioneering course for the treatment of COPD.

“The course will showcase the University Hospital of Wales’ highly renowned emphysema management programme, as well as the first class facilities of WIMAT’s training centre, including a live link to the hospital’s state of the art integrated theatre suite.

“The University Hospital of Wales is one of only a handful of centres throughout the UK that currently use this procedure, which will offer COPD sufferers in Wales the chance to greatly improve their quality of life through a low risk, minimally invasive operation.

“This will result in a decreased hospital stay and shorter recovery period.”